Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Morning in Colonial Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colonial Heights, VA to Portsmouth, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
83.4 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colonial Heights, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Colonial Heights to Portsmouth, this 83.4-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Southeast Virginia. Plan for a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it is an affordable way to reach your destination without breaking the bank. Because the route is relatively short, you won't need to worry about splitting this into an overnight stay. Expect a shift in scenery as you move through the Southeast region, transitioning from the Colonial Heights area toward the coastal environment of Portsmouth. It serves as a practical, efficient connection between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| James River Drive | 14.6 mi | 19m |
| Colonial Trail West | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Old Stage Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Colonial Trail East | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Western Freeway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| Bridge Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| Temple Avenue | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Brewers Neck Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
James River Drive
— 14.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and Portsmouth, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto Conduit Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Conduit Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto VA 144
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Temple Avenue
5
Merge onto VA 36
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on VA 36
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Oaklawn Boulevard
7
Continue on VA 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Winston Churchill Drive
8
Turn right onto VA 10; VA 156 BUS
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Randolph Road
9
Continue on VA 10; VA 156 BUS
15 mi
·
19 min
·
James River Drive
10
Continue on VA 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Colonial Trail West
11
At end of road, turn left onto VA 10; VA 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rolfe Highway
12
Take the exit
149 ft
·
6 sec
13
Merge onto VA 10
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Colonial Trail East
14
Continue on VA 10
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Old Stage Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 258
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Brewers Neck Boulevard
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
17
Merge onto US 17
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Carrollton Boulevard
18
Continue on US 17
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Western Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 58; VA 164
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Martin Luther King Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Use the right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
London Boulevard
23
Turn right onto VA 141
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Effingham Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto High Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on High Street
201 ft
·
20 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip requires about two hours of focused driving, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. You won't need to schedule formal stops, as the entire distance is manageable in one go, but keep your fuel budget of $13 in mind when planning your refueling strategy. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, prioritize staying alert and keeping your focus on the road surface rather than relying on cruise control. One concrete tip for this route: since you are primarily using local roads like Old Stage Highway, check your GPS before leaving to ensure you are comfortable with the specific turns planned for your arrival in Portsmouth. This approach ensures a smooth, stress-free arrival at your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.7 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 18 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James River Drive for about 14.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.7 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 82.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Conduit Road
Turn right onto Conduit Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
VA 36 / East Washington Street
Merge onto VA 36 / East Washington Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
VA 164 / Western Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 164 / Western Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward VA 141 South: Downtown Portsmouth
6
82.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
VA 141 / Effingham Street
Turn right onto VA 141 / Effingham Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.26 | $28.52 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.44 | $30.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.41 | $36.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.76 | $4.00 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.68 | $5.34 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Portsmouth, VA
Morning in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
42 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
near mile 46
View on nps.gov
Fort Monroe National Monument
National Monument
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 77.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as only 10% of this route takes place on major highways. You will spend much of your time navigating via James River Drive, Colonial Trail West, and Old Stage Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 14.6-mile segment on James River Drive, providing a brief period of steady travel. Because the path relies heavily on local roads, you should prepare for a more engaging, hands-on driving experience compared to a standard highway commute. Stay alert for frequent changes in the road's direction as you navigate the regional network.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on James River Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Conduit Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (VA 164 / Western Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on James River Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Portsmouth, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Conduit Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (VA 36 / East Washington Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (VA 164 / Western Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portsmouth, VA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Portsmouth, VA
More trips to Portsmouth, VA
Explore more options from Colonial Heights, VA or browse trips ending in Portsmouth, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.